Who made the first transistor radio?
Texas Instruments
Transistor radio/Inventors
How much did the first transistor radio cost?
It received AM stations and sold for $50, the equivalent of more than $400 today. Although a limited number of portable radios using vacuum tubes had been available, the TR-1 immediately transformed the state of consumer radio technology.
When was the first transistor radio manufactured?
Building on war-time research, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain, working with group leader William Shockley, developed a device they called a transistor. The first laboratory demonstration took place on 23 December 1947. Bell publicly announced the new invention on 30 June 1948.
What came before transistors?
But computers existed before transistors did, albeit in a rather rudimentary form. Rather than being built out of transistors, these behemoth computers were made up of something called thermionic valves, aka vacuum tubes.
What was the name of the world’s first transistor radio?
Regency TR-1
In July 1954 the Texas Instruments and Industrial Development Engineering Associates (I.D.E.A.) companies embarked on a six month project to produce a pocket-sized radio for the Christmas market. The result was the Regency TR-1, the world’s first pocket transistor radio.
What does a transistor do in a radio?
The function of transistors in radios is straightforward. Sounds are recorded through a microphone and turned into electrical signals. Those signals travel through a circuit, and the transistor amplifies the signal, which is subsequently much louder when it reaches a speaker.
What was the first ever computer called?
ENIAC computing system
Started in 1943, the ENIAC computing system was built by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering of the University of Pennsylvania. Because of its electronic, as opposed to electromechanical, technology, it is over 1,000 times faster than any previous computer.
What was the first transistor radio ever sold?
Texas Instruments announced plans for the Regency TR-1, the first transistor radio to be commercially sold, on October 18, 1954. The move was a major one in tech history that would help propel transistors into mainstream use and also give new definition to portable electronics.
What was the price of a regency transistor radio?
Besides the Regency TR-1, which came in 10 colors and retailed for $49.95, other collectible American brands include Zenith, RCA, G.E., Admiral, Motorola, Magnavox, Philco, Raytheon, Arvin, Sylvania, and Emerson.
How big was the battery for a transistor radio?
A transistor radio could fit in a pocket, weighed half a pound, and was powered by a single compact 9V battery. With these factors in mind, TI’s executive vice president Pat Haggerty “decided that the electronics industry needed a transistor wake-up call and that a small radio would provide it,” according to TI’s Web site.
When did reverse painting on transistor radios start?
Reverse (back) painting was a very popular method of ornamenting transistor radios between 1958 and 1962. By painting all artwork on the inside of the clear plastic dial cover, there would be no wear or damage to the most attractive features of the radio. A smooth protective surface remained on the outer dial.
What was the price of the first transistor radio?
They contracted I.D.E.A. (Industrial Development Engineering Associates) of Indiana to produce the first transistor radio under their Regency brand. The TR-1 pocket radio was introduced just before Christmas 1954 and sold for $49.95. Of course, the battery was “not included.” Options included a leather case for $3.95 and an earphone for $7.50.
Who is a collector of vintage transistor radios?
Michael Jack, whose personal Flickr website is a member of our Hall of Fame, is a collector of vintage transistor radios. Perhaps you recently saw a picture of a cool looking pocket radio from the early 1960’s and were reminded of your carefree, youthful days? Maybe it was the pastel colors or atomic aged designs that caught your eye?
How can you tell when a transistor radio was made?
One easy way to date a transistor radio to this period is to look for small triangles or circles between the 6 & 7 and the 12 & 16 on the dial. These are CD marks, which appeared on all radios manufactured or sold in the U.S. from 1953 to 1963.
Are there any transistor radios for sale on eBay?
The Regency TR-1 is the earliest type of transistor radio for sale. It came in 10 different colors and retailed for approximately $50. Sony’s TR-63 radio is also a desirable option to buy due to its public stunt as the world’s smallest transistor radio.
